Switch mechanism



Sept' 9, 1941- A. A. BLUEMLE ET Al. 2,255,552

SWITCH MECHANISM 'Sept.9,1941. A. A. BLUEMLE TAL 2,255,552

SWITCH MECHAN I SM Filed March 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY M TfnATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1941. I

A. A. BLUEMLE ETAL 2,255,552

SWITCH MECHANISM I Filed March 2l, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fla, ATTORNEYSPatented Sept. `9, 1941 SWITCH MECHANISM Arnold A. Bluemle and WilliamE. Brown, Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation,Detroit, Mich., a corporation oi' Delaware Application March 21, 1938,Seal No. 197,163

Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly tosnap switches adapted. to selectively control a plurality of electriccircuits.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure orcontrolling device for head lights whereby three distinct degrees ofbrillliancy may be obtained at theA will of the operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary switchmechanism wherein two bridging members are movable to two alternativepositions for effecting a change of circuit connection and wherein thebridging members are moved in different directions relative to eachother and wherein a single operating element is employed to actuate thetwo bridging members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unitary switch mechanismwherein two bridging members are movable to two alternate positions foreffecting a change of circuit connection yand wherein either one of thebridging members may be actuated to their alternate positions withoutaffecting the relative position of the other bridging member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unitary switch mechanismhaving a main bridgingmembermovable to two alternate positions andwherein said bridging member is normally maintained in either of the twopositions and auxiliary bridging members movable toy two alternatepositions and wherein the actuator and the auxiliary bridging membersare automatically returned to their normal positions when released oythe operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary switchmechanism wherein a plurality of bridging members are movable to twoalternate positions and moved out of engagement from their respectivestationary contacts with a snap action.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description reference being had to the accom-4pa'nying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention -is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view ing the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1.

. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the partsin a different position of operation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional of Fig. 3.

of the switch embodyview taken on line 4 4 Fig. 9 is a fragmentarysectional view on a large scale taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view thru the actuator to clearly illustrate therelation of the various elements of the actuator.

Figs. 11 to '14 inclusive are circuit diagrams showing the variouscombinations of a lighting system which maybe had in the switchembodying the present invention.

Fig. 1l illustrates one of the completed circuits accomplished by thepresent switch suitable for country driving.

Fig. l2 illustrates a circuit when the switch is actuated for countrypassing.

Fig. 13 illustrates a circuit when the lighting switch is in conditionfor city driving.

Fig. 14 illustrates a circuit when the switch is in condition for citypassing.

Referring to.Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, 20 designates a cup-shaped housingprovided with internal shoulder 2| against which a plate 22 ofinsulating material is adapted to rest. TheV plate 22 divides thehousing into two compartments, an upper compartment 23 and a lowercompartment 24. The closed end of the cup-shaped housing is providedwith a hollow projection 25 having inwardly extending portions 26 toform shoulders or stops for a rocking actuator member 2l. The actuatoris pivotally supported on a cross pin or rivet 28. In the present casethe actuator comprises a sleeve having a closed end and a pair of arms3| provided with elongated slots 29 to receive the cross pin 28 and toallow the sleeve to move up and down relative to the tubular projection25. The closed end of the sleeve 30 is covered with cap 32 ofnon-conducting material.

A pair of lever plates 35 are also pivoted on the pin 28. These platesare provided with a flat portion 36, ears or lugs 31 and an extensionarm 39. The ears 3l are adapted to alternately engage the stop topositively arrest the plates 35 when the latter are in either of theirnormal positions. The dat portions are. in the present case spot-weldedtogether and are notched asV at The spring op- 30 in its upperthe pin 28as The material about the pivot to receive a coil spring 4|.

crates to normally hold the sleeve most position with respect to viewed-in Fig. 1.

. rial.

portion of the plates 35 ls deformed in this case, so that the extensionarms will be spaced apart to receive a contact lever 42 of insulatingmate- The lever 42 is provided at one end with an elongated slot 43. Theother end of the lever 42 is notched as at 44 to receive a central orreduced portion 45 of an anti-friction roller contact 46. The rollercontact includes two cylindrical portions which are adapted to straddlethe lever 42 and a raised portion 41 of a stationary battery contact 48secured to the insulating plate. This construction prevents endwisemovement of the roller contact 46.

The insulating lever 42 is surrounded by a coil spring 5| the lower endbearing against a washer 52 which rests upon a shoulder provided by thelever 42. The other end of the spring bears against a washer 53 having aslot through which the ends of the arms 39 and the upper end of thelever 42 project. The washer is yieldingly supported on the lever 42.The washer is maintained on the lever 42 by a pivot pin 54 which extendsthrough apertures provided in the arms 39 and through the elongated slot43 in the lever 42. The pin is maintained in its assembled relation withthe arms 39 and lever 42 by ears 55 formed on the washer which engagethe ends of the pin to prevent endwise movement thereof.

The switching mechanism, comprising the arms 39, insulating lever 42 andthe contact 46 is adapted to extend through an aperture 6| of acup-shaped member 62. This member has a sliding t with a complementaryreduced chamber portion 63 located within the upper compartment 23 ofthe housing 20. The cup-shaped member is normally held against the underside of the closed end of the housing 20 and adjacent the lower ends ofthe arms 3l of the sleeve 30 by coil springs 64 as viewed in Fig. l. Theclosed end of the cup-shaped member 62 supports a pair of insulatingplugs 65 having a reduced portion press tted in suitable apertures inthe closed end of the member 62 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The springs 64, which urge the cup-shaped member upwardly, are disposedbetween flanges 65 of guide bushings or sleeves 66, which are suit' ablyattached to the plate 22, and washers 61 attached to the upper ends ofreciprocable plunger rods 68 and 69. The rods 68 and 69 are slidablysupported in their respective bushings 66 and are preferably provided attheir lower ends, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, with integral cam members10 and 1I respectively. The cam members have a configuration of a doublefrustrum positioned base to base. The lower ends of the rods, below thecam portions extend into suitable apertures provided in a closure 13 ofinsulating material for the housing 20. The cam members 10 and 1| areutilized to actuate movable contact assemblies 14 and 15 respectivelyfrom one position to another with a snap action. Since both contactassemblies 14 and 15 are preferably alike a description of one willapply to both.

The contact assembly 14 comprises a metal casing 80 supporting a metaldisc 8| having suitable notches to receive metal balls 82 and springs 83and an apertured disc 84 to maintain the balls and springs within theirrespective notches. The balls are adapted to be moved radially withinthe casing by the cam 10. Each contact assembly is adapted to bridge anupper set and a lower set of contacts carried by the plate 22 andclosure 13 respectively.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the plate 22 supconducting brackets ports aplurality of sets of contacts, one set of contacts includes the batterycontact and two main stationary contacts 9| and 92 exposed on the uppersurface of the plate 22. These contacts are spaced fromA and located onopposite sides of the raised or guide portion 41 of the battery terminalcontact 48, see Fig. 1, so that one or the other of the contacts 9| and92 will be bridged with the contact 48 by the roller contact 46. Theplate also carries two sets of auxiliary contacts 93, 94 and 95, 96.These sets are exposed on the lower side of the plate 22 and provide theupper sets of contacts in the lower compartment. f

These sets of contacts are so arranged that contacts 93, 94 and 95, 96are in the path of movable contact assemblies 14 and 15 respectively.

The plate 13 carries two sets of contacts, 91, 98 and 99, |00 which arealso located in the reciprocable path of the movable contact assemblies14 and 15 respectively. These contacts 91, 98 and 99, |00 provide thelower sets 'of contacts in the lower compartment and are so arrangedthat they are in the path of the movable contacts 14 and 15respectively.

The plates 22 and 13 are held together as one assembly unit but held inspaced relation by conducting brackets |0|, |02 and a post |03. The

|0| and |02 are so constructed that the contacts 92, 94 and 98 will beconnected in series by the bracket 0| and the contacts 9|; 95-and 99 areconnected in series by the bracket |00. The post |03 is connected withthe battery terminal contact 48. The contacts 93 and 96 are connected bya conducting strap |04. The assembly unit including the plates 22 and 13is secured to the housing 20 by screws |05 passing through suitableapertures in the plate 13 and having screw threaded engagement with thehousing 20.`

In Fig. 2 the switch structure is shown in one of its normal positionswith the roller contact 46 bridging the contacts 48 and 9|. To move theroller contact from the position shown in Fig. 2 to a position where theContact 48 will engage the contact 92 the cap 32 together with thesleeve 3| is rocked in a clockwisev direction or to the right upon thepivot 28, thus causing the arms 39 to move in an arc and carry theinsulating arm with it. As the arms 39 are moved in a clockwisedirection the washer 53 is forced downward by the pin which slides inthe elongated slot in the arm 42, to compress the spring until the deadcenter of the switching mechanism is passed. When this occurs the springwill immediately expand and instantly move the switching mechanism with.a snap action in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 sothat the roller contact y46 will engage the contact 92.

When it is desired to actuatevthemovable contact assemblies 14 and 15from their normal positions shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4, theoperator depresses the cap 32 and sleeve 3l. In this instance sleeve 30will slide downwardly over the plates due to the fact that the arms 3|of the sleeve are provided with the elongated slot. Thus by thisarrangement the sleeve 30 can be reciprocated relative to the plate 35without affecting the bridging engagement of the roller contact 46 withone or the other of the contacts 9| and 92. As the sleeve is depressedthe ends of the arms` 3| will engage the top surface of the cup-shapedmember 62 which in turn forces the plungers 68 and 69 to compress thesprings 64 downward. Since both plungers operate alike only the actionof the plunger 68 will be here described. As the plunger 68 movesdownward the cam portion will pass through the contact assembly 14,which is at rest on contacts 91 and 98, and urge the balls 82 radiallyto compress the springs 83 and as the balls pass over the crest of cam10 the spring will instantly expand causing the ball to slide upwardalong the upper portion of the cam 10 to move the contact assembly 14with a snap action to bridge the upper contact set 93, 94 in the lowercompartment. Upon release of the pressure on the cap 32 and the sleeve30, the springs 64 will react to move plunger rod B8 upwardly to itsnormal position and cause the contact assembly 14 to move in the reversedirection with a snap action and the spring 4| also reacts to return thesleeve to its normal position.

This switch mechanism is particularly useful for controlling the headlamp circuits of an automobile. Generally the head lamp includes a"Bright and a Dim filament bulb the filaments of the lamp being arrangedso that the right head lamp filaments will throw a beam to the left sideof the road and left head lamp will throw a beam to the right side ofthe road. While it is of great value in illuminating the roadway whereit is necessary the bright filaments of the lamps have a blinding effectupon persons approaching the car carrying the head light with the brightfilament connected and it is desirable thatthe brilliancy of the headlight throwing the beam to the left side of the road be altered. Thismay be easily accomplished by depressing the actuator of the presentinvention to alter the switch connections so that the Dim lament of theright head lamp will be connected and remain connected only so long asthe actuator is in its depressed position. It sometimes happens whendriving in the city, with the Dim lights connected in a circuit that itis desirable .to light the right side of the roadway, thus by depressingthe actuator the circuit connections will be changed s0 that lightcombination will be that of country passing. Thus it will be seen thatthree distinct degrees of brilliancy may be obtained at the will of theoperator and clearly shown in the circuit diagram as shown in Figs. 1lto 14 inclusive. Referring to Fig. 11 when the roller contact isv in oneof its normal positions and in engagement with the contact 9| and theswitch ||8 is in the full line position current will be directed fromthe battery |20 and the following circuits will be completed: from thebattery |20, lead |2|, switch IIB, contacts 48, 46 and 9|, from whencethe current is then divided a portion of the current will be directed tothe Bright filament ||3 of a lamp thru lead |22. Another portion of thecurrent is directed from the contact 9|, thru the Conducting bracket|02, contacts 99, 15, |00, lead |23 to the Bright filament ||2 of a lamp||0.

The circuits energized are lclearly indicated by the heavier black lineand may be traced without diiculty. This circuit arrangement gives 'whatis known as a country driving condition.

When the actuator 21 is depressed the movable contact 46 is not affectedbut the contacts 14 and 15 will be shifted from the position shown inFig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12. The circuit arrangement in this figureis known as country passing condition. The circuit completed will be asfollows: from battery |20, lead |2|, switch |8, contacts 48, 46, 9|,where the current is then divided a portion of the vcurrent will bedirected from contact 9| to the Bright filament ||3 of lamp thru lead|22, another portion of the current will be directed from the contact 9|thru the bracket |02, contacts 95, 15, 96 conducting strap |04, contacts93, 14, 94, bracket 50|, contact 92, lead |24, to the Dim filament ||4of lamp ||0.

Referring to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 13 the actuator 21 hasbeen moved in a clockwise direction so as to shift the contact 46 intoengagement with the contact 92. When this happens the circuit completedwill be as follows: from battery |20, lead |2|, switch ||8, terminals48, 46 and 92 from whence the current is then divided a portion of thecurrent is directed from the contact 92 to the Dim filament 4 of thelamp ||0 thru the lead |24. Another portion of the current willbedirected from the contact 92 thru; bracket |0|, contacts 98, 14, 91,lead |25 to the Dim filament ||5 of the lamp The circuits energized areclearly indicated by the heavier black lines and this circuitarrangement gives what is known as city driving condition.

In case the operator desires to depress the actuator 21 he will get alighting arrangement similar to country passing. This is accomplished bydepressing a lever 21 so as.to shift the contacts 14 and 15 from theirnormal position to that shown in Fig. 14 to bridge the contacts 93 and94. The circuit completed will be as follows: from battery |20, lead|2|, switch 8. contacts 48, 46, 92, from whence the current will be di`-vided. In this instance a portion of the current will be directed fromthe contact 92 to the Dirn" filament ||4 of lamp ||0 through lead |24.Anotherportion of the current will be directed from the contacts 92,bracket |0|, contacts 94, 14, 93. conducting strap |04, contacts 96, 15.95. bracket |02, contact 9|, lead |22, Bright filament ||3 of lamp I.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is.,claimed is as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising. in combination; a housing: anonconducting block supported within the housing and dividing thehousing into an upper and a lower switch compartment: conductingelements carried by the block certain of the elements providing a set offixed switch contacts in the upper 'compartment and other elementsproviding a set of upper switch contacts in the lower compartment; aclosure for the housing; conducting elements carried by the closure andproviding fixed switch contacts exposed inthe lower compartment and inalignment with the upper contacts within said compartment: means forelectrically connecting a Contact of each set of contacts in the lowercompartment with a contact in the upper compartment; a swinging contactto alternately engage the contacts in the upper compartment; a movablecontact slidably supported within the lower compartment to alternatelyengage' the sets of contacts in the lower compartment; and a commonactuator for moving the respective movable contacts into a selectedposition.

2. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; anonconducting block supported within the housing and dividing thehousing into an upper and a lower compartment; conducting elements and aterminal post carried by the block, said elements providing a set ofswitch terminals in the upper compartment and a pluyviding xed switchcontacts extending into the lower compartment to provide lower sets ofcontacts; means for electrically connecting a contact of each set ofcontacts in the lower compartment in series with a terminal in the uppercompartment; a movable contact to alternately bridge the terminals withthe post; a pair of movable contacts slidablysupported between alignedsets of contacts in the lower compartment and adapted to alternatelybridge their respective set of contacts; resilient means for normallyAholding each movable contact into bridging engagement with one set ofcontacts; and a common actuator for actuating the movable contacts intoa selected position.'y

3. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; anonconducting block supported within the housing and dividing thehousing into an upper and a lower compartment; conducting elements and aterminal post carried by the block, certain of said elements providing aset of terminal contacts in the upper compartment and t others providinga. plurality of upper sets ofA switch contacts in the lower compartment;a

closure for the housing; conducting elements carcontacts extending intothe lower compartment to provide lowerl sets of switch contacts; meansfor electrically connecting a contact of each set of contacts in thelower compartment in series with a contact in the upper compartment; amovable contact to alternately bridge the terminal contacts with thepost; resilient means for holding the movable contact in either of itsbridging positions; a movable contact slidably supported betweeneachupper and lower set of switch contacts and adapted-to alternatelybridge their respective sets of contacts; resilient means for normallyholding each second mentioned movable contact in bridging engagementwith one set of contacts; and actuating means for changing the bridgingposition of either movable contact without changing the bridgingof theother movable contact.

4. An `electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; anonconducting plate supported within the housing and dividing thehousing into two compartments; a plurality of stationary contacts andraterminal post carried bythe plate. certain of the contacts beingexposedin the vupper compartment and other contacts being exposed in thelower compartment toprovide upper contacts therein; a closure for thehousing; a

plurality of contacts carried by the closure to provide lower contactsin the lower compartment; a movable contact in each compartment t theupper movable contact normally bridging the terminal post with astationary contact and the lower movable contact bridging a pair yofstationary contactsy and actuating means for chang,

lng thelbridging position ofv either movable contact without changingthe bridging of the ,other movable contact.

. Y 5.*An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; anonconducting block l.supported within the housing and dividing thehousing into an-.upper and a lower switch compartment; conductingelements carried by the block and providing xed switch contacts exposed"in the upper and lower compartment, said contacts be.- ing arranged toprovide av set of contacts in the upper compartment and a set ofcontacts spaced from each other providing upper contacts infthe lowercompartment; a closure for`the housing,

rconducting elements carried by the closureand providing xed switchcontacts exposed inthe lower compartment. said contacts being arrangedto provide two sets 'of lower contacts in alignment with the uppercontacts in .the lower compartment; means for connecting the contacts ofthe upper compartment with the sets of'contacts in the lowercompartment; a movable contactto alternately engage the contacts intlie4 upper compartment; a movable contactindependently supported withinthe lower compartment to alternately engagethe two `sets of contacts;and an actuator for oscillating and, reciprocating movements toselectively change thepositions of the movablefcontacts,v saidjactuator; controlling the movements of the'upper contact'in'itsoscillating t movements and controlling the'movements ofthe lowermo'vable contact in its reciprocating movements.` y

' ARNOLDA BLUEMLE.

WILLIAM E. BROWN.A v

